NationStates Jolt Archive

IMPORTANT OP EDIT

My initial scenario, and the one to which everyone through Free Soviet's post 13 was reacting, posited that Palin might appoint herself senator to replace Stevens if Stevens (unlikely, I conceded) defeated Begich in the Alaskan senate election, but was then evicted by the senate next year.

Free Soviets pointed out that the Alaska governor doesn't get to appoint to Senate vacancies, instead there has to be a special election. But it never occured to us to posit what would happen if Palin ran for the Senate since she can't appoint herself.

So here's a revised OP to take into account the new scenario:

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Before I begin, let me concede from the beginning that I realise the scenario I'm about to describe is unlikely.

But humour me....

Let's get the unlikeliest part of the scenario out of the way first. Let's say that, despite his felony conviction, Ted Stevens defeats Begich in the Alaskan Senate race.

And let's say - just for the sake of argument - that the Senate then votes to expel the convicted felon early next year.

At which point, as I understand it, there has to be a special election to fill the Senate vacancy.

And let's say - again for the sake of argument - that the governor of Alaska decides that the Republican candidate should be a young(ish) candidate with a national profile and national ambitions.

Or, to put it more plainly, is there any reason why Palin couldn't at this point decide to run for the Senate vacancy herself?

Unlikely? Yes, if only because Begich will now probably win.

Unprecedented? I think so - unless anyone knows differently.

Impossible?

Just a thought.

I don't know if Alaskan law prohibits it, so I don't really see why not. Even if she could why would she?

I don't know if Alaskan law prohibits it, so I don't really see why not. Even if she could why would she?Maybe all that dirty talk about Washington has turned her on (to becoming a senator)?

its a pretty good idea.

if she is going to be a future presidential candidate she needs to have some solid washington experience.

I'm no legal expert, but I don't see how it would be possible to appoint yourself to that position. So you appoint yourself Senator and then resign from the Governorship in the same day? I would assume that there is law preventing a single individual from holding two elected positions, even temporarily.

More likely she would run for Senate after her term is up, but something tells me she'll just go ahead and run for President in 2012. Sure, Washington experience would be good, but then she couldn't run as an outsider. Plus, Governers tend to do well in Presidential elections.

I'm no legal expert, but I don't see how it would be possible to appoint yourself to that position. So you appoint yourself Senator and then resign from the Governorship in the same day? I would assume that there is law preventing a single individual from holding two elected positions, even temporarily.

More likely she would run for Senate after her term is up, but something tells me she'll just go ahead and run for President in 2012. Sure, Washington experience would be good, but then she couldn't run as an outsider. Plus, Governers tend to do well in Presidential elections.Is there? Horst Seehofer just became Prime Minister of Bavaria and later on on the same day received his Certificate of Dismissal from the President that he needed to resign from his post as Minister of Agriculture. Now just because it's legal in Germany doesn't mean it necessarily is in the United States, but it does punch a hole in the "is" part of "I assume ther is law preventing [it]".

It's theoretically possible, assuming she doesn't become Vice President first. Now that would be a royal mess, if she were Governor, Senator, and Vice President. I've heard of working three jobs, but never three full-time jobs that require that much travel. She'd have to add about 500 hours into the week just to get anything done at all.

I'm no legal expert, but I don't see how it would be possible to appoint yourself to that position. So you appoint yourself Senator and then resign from the Governorship in the same day? I would assume that there is law preventing a single individual from holding two elected positions, even temporarily.

More likely she would run for Senate after her term is up, but something tells me she'll just go ahead and run for President in 2012. Sure, Washington experience would be good, but then she couldn't run as an outsider. Plus, Governers tend to do well in Presidential elections.



ms palin hasnt been served very well by the mccain campaign handlers.

she may be woefully ignorant but she isnt stupid. she knows she can have the top job IF she survives this vp run. then she has to get some serious experience and work up her own opinions on national and international issues.

AND she knows that if obama does a good job this time, he is going to win a second term. only a fool wastes their one shot at the presidency on a long shot.

she'll run in '16.

AND she knows that if obama does a good job this time, he is going to win a second term. only a fool wastes their one shot at the presidency on a long shot.

she'll run in '16.

Probably. Unless of course things don't improve in any measurable way, and Americans feel dissatisfied or let down by an Obama presidency. I wouldn't rule out '12 entirely.

I think she might run for senator, it is a possiblity seeing how her own folks like her back in Alaska. I still think she's pretty green when it comes to national politics. The senate position would be a plus for her, she might actually learn how things are done. Anyway, it's up to her.

At which point, as I understand it, the Governor of Alaska has to appoint a replacement.

alaskans killed even temporary appointee senators after their other senator got in that way (her dad became governor and appointed her to his old senate seat). a special election is required to fill vacancies.

blago, on the other hand...

alaskans killed even temporary appointee senators after their other senator got in that way (her dad became governor and appointed her to his old senate seat). a special election is required to fill vacancies.

Boo hiss.

Thanks for clarifying that.

Pity reality had to get in the way of a potentially interesting discussion.

Boo hiss.

Thanks for clarifying that.

Pity reality had to get in the way of a potentially interesting discussion.

indeed. what's kinda funny is that alaskans put murkowski back into office at the same time they passed the ballot initiative that outlawed her original route there.


there really is, however, some rumor-based outside chace that blagojevich, the illinois governor with bushian approval-levels, might appoint himself to obama's seat. that or maybe get rid of one of his in-state rivals with it.

Following Free Soviets' pointing out that Alaskan governors don't appoint to Senate vacancies (instead there's a special election), I've offered up a new scenario in the OP as to how Palin could get herself into the Senate if, unlikely as it now seems, Stevens defeats Begich.

She runs for the Senate vacancy herself.

Again, I realise that this seems unlikely at this point - but is it impossible?

And if not impossible, are there broader implications for 2012/2016?

I'm rooting for the GOP Presidential ticket in 2012 to be:

PALIN/WURZELBACHER!